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Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for May 2010 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (July 20) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
In May 2010, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 19.3% over May 2009, while that of domestic exports increased by 14.5%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 19.2%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 22.7%.
Comparing the first five months of 2010 with the same period in 2009, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods grew significantly, by 21.1%, while that of domestic exports increased by 16.4%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 21.0%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 27.2%.
Comparing the three-month period ending May 2010 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 5.2%. Within this total, the volume of re-exports increased by 5.4%, whereas that of domestic exports decreased by 0.9%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 2.1%.
Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.
Comparing May 2010 with May 2009, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 4.0%, while those of domestic exports increased by 6.0%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 4.1%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 6.8%.
As regards price changes in the first five months of 2010 over the same period in 2009, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 3.3%, while those of domestic exports increased by 4.3%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 3.4%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 4.8%.
Price changes in external merchandise trade are reflected by changes in unit value indices of external merchandise trade which are compiled based on average unit values or, for certain commodities, specific price data.
The terms of trade index is derived from the ratio of price index of total exports of goods to that of imports of goods. Compared with the same period in 2009, the index decreased by 2.5% in May 2010 and 1.4% in the first five months of 2010.
Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
In May 2010, double-digit increases were recorded for the total export volume to Japan (+27.4%), the USA (+22.8%), Taiwan (+20.1%) and the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+17.3%) over May 2009. Concurrently, the total export volume to Germany increased by 3.4%.
Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to all main destinations increased: Taiwan (+6.4%), the Mainland (+6.0%), Japan (+1.7%), Germany (+1.6%) and the USA (+1.2%).
Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
In May 2010, the import volume from Japan and Taiwan rose sharply, by 34.8% and 30.3% respectively over May 2009. Concurrently, import volume from the Mainland, Singapore and the USA increased by 22.2%, 18.4% and 13.2% respectively.
Comparing May 2010 with May 2009, the import prices from all main suppliers increased: Singapore (+19.0%), Taiwan (+9.6%), Japan (+5.5%), the Mainland (+4.8%) and the USA (+4.3%).
Further information
Details of the above statistics are published in the May 2010 issue of "Hong Kong Merchandise Trade Index Numbers". Users can download the publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/products/publications/statistical_report/external_trade/index.jsp).
Enquiries on merchandise trade indices may be directed to Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel.: 2582 4918).
Ends/Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:30
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